An t-Uachtarán Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íos

Bhí dream againn ón Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (mise fein, mo bhean chéile Seoige, Eileen Alberts, Kathy Hannigan agus Julie Tacey) ag freastail an fháiltithe don Uachtarán na h-Eireann agus a fear céile Dr. Martin McAleese.  Thug an t-Uachtarán cuairt ar go Nua Eabhrac an seachtain seo chun na ceangail ghnó  agus cultúrtha a neartú.  Ba onóir mór dom bualadh leis an Uachtarán agus go mór mór a bheith ag labhairt leis an Uachtarán as Gaeilge.  Bhí mé ag damhsa ar dhroim na muice in a dhiaidh sin!  Tá Gaeilge líofa ag an Uachtarán Mhic Giolla Íos agus tugeann sí a lán tacaíochta don teanga.

Bhí seans againn ceangail nua a dhéanamh agus seanchenagail a neartú freisin.  Bhain muid sult mór as an oíche.http://s.clickability.com/s?19=30300&32=7184&36=534982&22=3024659&37=23103302&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishcentral.com%2Fnews%2F-Irish-President-pays-tribute-to-emigrants-and-calls-on-Irish-to-help-their-own-at-home-94726459.html&18=0.832930786177583

Irish Speakers are a Social and Educational Elite - Report

There is a new study issued by the Universities of Ulster and Limerick on the above topic.  See the report in the following link: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0109/1224261977461.html?sms_ss=google. 

Weekend getaways to Ireland without ever leaving the USA--awakening your Gaelic soul | The Keane Edge | IrishCentral

This spring I was able to attend the Irish Speakers Weekend hosted by Daltaí na Gaeilge as I do almost every year.  Here is an excellent article about it by Brendan Keane who was there also. 
Weekend getaways to Ireland without ever leaving the USA--awakening your Gaelic soul The Keane Edge IrishCentral

Summer Irish Language Classes

Several students have asked about classes during the summer.  Many students don't want to lose their language skills that they have achieved by breaking during the summer.  Classes can be arranged for the Beginner and Intermediate levels if there are enough students to enroll.  Please call or e-mail if you are interested in one of these classes so that a program can be put together.

slán go fóill

Masses in Irish Celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick and Parade

Students of the Irish Gaelic Circle of CT will be doing some of the readings and prayers in Irish at Masses in New Fairfield and Danbury, CT.  The first Mass will be at St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield at 9 AM Saturday, March 13th.  A parade will follow leading from the church to a reception at the library in New Fairfield. The second Mass will be at St. Peter Church in Danbury at 11 AM on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17th.  A flag raising at City Hall will follow the Mass.  Festivities will follow for the rest of the day at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center on Lake Ave (http://www.gdicc.org/).

The Danbury Hibernian St. Patrick's parade will occur on Sunday, March 14th.  Meet at Kennedy Park at 1:30 PM and step-off is 2 PM.  Irish language students will march under the Daltai na Gaeilge banner.  The parade will march to the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center on Lake Ave.  Free food and refreshments for the marchers!  Festivities for the rest of the day. 

Reception at the Irish Consulate in New York

A chairde,
The Deputy Counsul General Breandán Ó Caollaí and his wife Carmel Callan will host a Cultural evening at the Consulate for Irish Language students and speakers on Wednesday, Feb. 24th.  It will run from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  This will also launch the European Certification in Irish for 2010.  See the website for location and directions: http://www.consulateofirelandnewyork.org/.   Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend.

It will be an enjoyable evening with other students and Irish speakers.  Bígí linn!

Daltaí na Gaeilge - February Weekend!

Daltaí's February Irish language weekend starts this Friday evening Feb 12th and runs until 1 PM on Sunday.  The Teacher's Workshop progam follows at 3 PM and continues until 1 PM Monday.  Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair from Dun na nGall is doing the teacher's program and has already climbed on the plane as I am posting this!  Don't miss a great learning weekend.  There is still time to register on the Daltaí website: http://www.daltai.com/ and check under Events. 

You can attend the Teacher's Workshop even if you don't teach.  The best thing an Irish language student can do is spend a relaxed and friendly weekend with Irish speakers.

Bígí linn!!